1 Through the years, some of the more hotly-contested races at Auto Club Speedway have been on two-wheels over the 2.36-mile, 21-turn road course. Last spring, Ben Spies beat Suzuki teammate Matt Mladin to the checkers by 0.011 seconds.

The AMA Pro Road Racing Series returns to Fontana this weekend for the annual Suzuki AMA Pro Superbike Challenge. There are changes this time around, such as Spies not competing and the California debut of the new Daytona SportBike class.

Both classes will have 21-lap, 50-mile races on Saturday and Sunday, while SuperSport class, for riders 16 through 21 on 600cc sport, will have a 17-lap, 40-mile spring on Saturday.

A new class for 2009, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike is pitched as a battleground between quick-handling 600cc motorcycles and a variety of big-bore bikes from Buell, Aprilia and Ducati, incorporating former Formula Xtreme and older SuperSport series.

Highlights for the weekend are the Kids Fitness Challenge on Saturday morning and an autograph session with all the riders at 12:15 p.m. Sunday.

2 Robby Gordon made his reputation in off-road racing long before he got behind the wheel of an Indy Car or a NASCAR stocker. That rep took a hit over the weekend at the 2009 Baja 500.

Several teams have filed a protest against Gordon for taking an illegal shortcut – one over a cliff no less – en route to a second-place finish. According to published reports, Gordon cut four of the more treacherous and difficult miles of the course close to the finish.

Off-road racing operates under an honor system. But in this case, those who have questioned Gordon are more upset that it was a premeditated move and collected evidence indicated Gordon might have practiced the deviation.

Officials from the sanctioning SCORE International are investigating the issue.

3 Kenny Bernstein can breathe once again, but it won’t be an easy one.

The drag racing icon had been on pins and needles since last year when it was learned the long-time sponsor Anheuser-Busch was merging with European brewer InBev. On Monday, A-B announced it was leaving NHRA and Bernstein, but remaining with NASCAR and driver Kasey Kahne.

Bernstein is celebrating 30 years with Budweiser as his main sponsor, the longest relationship in motorsports. The STP-Richard Petty association lasted 28 years.

Bernstein, who won six NHRA titles in Top Fuel and Funny Car, said his team will continue, if he can find sponsorship for 2010.

“The NHRA and Kenny Bernstein Racing have been world-class partners, and we’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” said Dan McHugh, vice president of media, sponsorship and activation for Anheuser-Busch. “This had nothing to do with Kenny. We are looking at different ways to reach a new generation of consumers who haven’t yet tried Budweiser.”

4 First, it was Jeff Burton on “General Hospital” and on Tuesday, Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer will make an appearance on another TV series.

Bowyer, who drove the No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet at the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway in February, will appear on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” following President Obama’s speech.

Bowyer filmed the episode in mid-January, a day after completing a Hamburger Helper commercial that’s now airing. That spot is one of three commercials that feature the Fontana track, including a Kasey Kahne Budweiser spot with a navigation system and Sam Hornish Jr.’s Auto Club pitch.

5 Glen Helen Raceway will host the second round of its Off-Road Short Course Series on Saturday, featuring a variety of trucks and buggies.

The 1-mile course in San Bernardino is wide and fast, complete with high-flying jumps, banked turns, double-jumps, plateau-jumps and a `land rush’ start.

“I am extremely pleased how the race track has turned out so far,” said Bob Beyer, Glen Helen off-road director. “The races and practice sessions have provided intense action for all classes and the track has received high marks from some of off-road racing’s elite drivers.”

Practice and racing action begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-12.

Lou Brewster is a nationally recognized motorsports journalist who has staffed NASCAR and NHRA events since 1969. Has also staffed high school football, in five different states, since 1967. Has won several national awards in writing and breaking news.

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